I remember Vince's great sense of humor. When we'd meet in the hall, he'd greet me, saying, "Big Stan...BS for short".
Please accept my sympathies.
Stan Huff
April 25, 2013
We are extending our sympathy to the Delong family at the loss of
Vincent. He was a very accomplished man! We will miss his trips down Adams Road and his smile and wave as he passed our house.
Prayer and blessings,
The Neffs
Sarah Neff
April 13, 2013
Doug Jeff and family my deepest condolences to you and your family. Vince will always have a special place in my heart for the many conversations I had with him both business and socially. One of the most interesting people I have met. Great memories and a great legacy.
Charlie Rochford
April 7, 2013
To the family of Vince DeLong, my deepest sympathy. He was one of the nicest people to do business with for over the 30 years I was in business.
I enjoyed being his friend and customer.
Ted Katzmark
Ted Katzmark
April 7, 2013
We are deeply saddened to hear of Vince's passing. What a beautiful Video Tribute to honor so many outstanding achievements in Vince's life. Our hearts go out to your family at this difficult time.
Tamra & Brian Dee
April 6, 2013
My Sincerest condolensces to the DeLong family after the passing of Vince. During the time I worked for KMRY, I had many, many conversations with Vince and enjoyed each and every one of them. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Jerry Kiwala
April 6, 2013
I will miss Vince greatly. I could not begin to recount all the times he and I spent hours drinking beer, eating dinner and talking about everything under the sun during the 30 plus years I knew him. He was always working on some kind of project and brought the mind of an engineer to everything he did, usually with great results and sometimes with disastrous ones too. The man was indefatigable and his mind was always working in high gear. Sure, sometimes he would go off on tangents that only made sense to him and drove others crazy but he pursued them with missionary zeal. He was always showing me drawings, prints and diagrams of what he was working on. Even when I could not quite grasp what he was talking about, his enthusiasm sure made it sound like a great idea.
He was a true eccentric. A successful businessman, who bought his clothes at Goodwill, drove beat up Lincoln town cars and rusted out trucks and drank the cheapest beer available. Always buying surplus parts for next to nothing and doing God knows what with them. He was also a more generous man than many people probably realized.
Sadly, yet understandably, Vince was never the same after the loss of his beloved Mary Ellen but I will always have fond memories of my old friend and the innumerable, enjoyable and sometimes maddening evenings I spent with him. He was truly one of a kind.
Austin P. Lawler
April 5, 2013
Had many wonderful times with Vince and Mary Ellen, Jeff and grandkids. They will both be missed very much. Ed and I send our condolences to the Jeff and his brothers.
Gale Fry
April 5, 2013
I was so sad to have read of Vince's passing! I have such great memories of the Lonbranch, the Delong family and my time there. Please know my thoughts are with you all now! Molly
Molly James INSERT INTO guestbook VALUES (Collins)
April 4, 2013
My deepest sympathy To Doug and his families... I remember when it all started... We had a lot of parties at Longbranch when i worked at Collins...
Janie Miller
April 4, 2013
Vince and Mary Ellen were a part of our lives for many many years and we will miss their annual visits to us in Mexico.What an adventure to share good times with them.You will not be forgotten.
Don and Boo Balster
April 4, 2013
Jim&Kay So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Thinking of you during this time. Sandy & John Claflin
Sandy Claflin
April 4, 2013
My prayers and my most sincere condolences to the Family and Friends of Vince DeLong! He was a remarkable man. While I didn't know him well, the occasions I had to chat with him were interesting and enjoyable. Through TCR and Old Barn Players I came to know the DeLongs and Jim and Kay became my friends. In honor of Vince and to perhaps offer some small solace, the following is something that I wrote...
THE STRONGEST MAN...
INSERT INTO guestbook VALUES (By Michael M. Kelly Sr.)
There never was a man so strong,
That the earth trembled as he walked about,
There never was a man so strong,
That the mountains shook when he would shout,
There never was a man so strong,
That the oceans would overflow if he wept,
But there was a man so strong,
That all that knew him will not forget.
Michael M Kelly Sr
April 4, 2013
Dear Doug, I am sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Even though Vince was a man of few words, I did enjoy the times when he would choose to chat with me. The thoughts and prayers of the Keyes family are with you and your family. God bless. Love, Marty
Marty Keyes Gieryng
April 3, 2013
Doug and family - We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat and Brenda Vargason
April 3, 2013
Doug and family ... have not seen you in probably 10 years nbow, since I retired I seldom get back to IA. But, it is with sadness we not the passing of Vince. He was an inventor to say the least. Noted in the picture, his smile, which was most always present in life. I worked with Vince on the ATX-101 program in the mid 70's. I still have a copy of the paper he presented to the IRE in the 70's regarding automatic antenna couplers. Vince was fair and just. I really enjoyed working with him. He will be missed not only by his family, but fellow co-workers as well. He worked under Jack Cosgrove and Merill Ludvigson as well and the infectious smile never betrayed his feelings for people. He was the consumate inventor and engineer, one who never forgot those who worked for him and those he worked for. I always enjoyed the trips back to IA, where we would normally stay at the Longbranch and eat at the restaraunt as well. It was Mary Jane who really "ran" the show,. but Vince and his computer programs prevailed in the background. Vince would always say howdy and talk about almost anything that you might remember. I am going to miss those times. But after almost 35 years with Collins, it was time to retire myself.
Cherish the memories .. they will serve you well.
Farwell and following seas Vince, you deserve them.
Bill Lambing
Greenwood, IN
William Lambing
April 3, 2013
Sorry to hear about his passing. I remenber him going up and having the house n top if yhe hill. Also being his paperboy for 3 years.
Doug Rinderknecht
April 3, 2013
Dear Family,
I am so sorry for your loss! Vince was such an accomplished man and a wonderful father. It's an incredible loss no matter what age he was.
I was deeply saddened when Jim sent me an email telling me of my uncle Vince's passing. I am grateful I got to talk with him one last time 3 weeks ago.
Please accept my regret for not being able to attend Vince's service, but know I am there with you in spirit.
Love,
Mary Pam
Mary Pamela Simek
April 3, 2013
I have so many fond memories of my "Longbranch family", I cannot begin to tell you all how sorry I am for the loss of the man that started it all. He was genuine in every sense of the word and will be missed! Love and peace be with you all and accept my regret for not being able to attend the service.
Diane Franck
April 3, 2013
Thinking of all of you and sending Sympathy. I forwarded this to son Jeremy in Germany, as he always loved being part of the LongBranch family at a very early age. Always loved his happy smile.
Sylvia INSERT INTO guestbook VALUES (Abrams) Hildman
April 3, 2013
My Mother INSERT INTO guestbook VALUES (Evelyn Garrett) also just passed away at the Gardens. Vince was one of her table mates. I helped him button his cuffs one evening and he patted my arm and said, " you are a doll!"
Such a wonderful gentleman. I'm sorry for your loss.
Gail Long
April 2, 2013
Dear Delong family,
We are deeply saddened by your loss! Long Branch was a hugh part of our life for years and we have many, many memories! God Bless you all!
Gary & Tammi Jones
Gary & Tammi Jones
April 2, 2013